Episode Details

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Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night realizing you missed a grant deadline?

Or maybe you submitted a grant months ago… and now you can’t find the final application anywhere?

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and this episode is for you.

In this episode, Rachel Waterman, CEO and Founder of GDS Grants, shares how to simplify grant management so you can stay organized, professional, and on top of every opportunity. We dive into her journey into grant writing (including her time in the Peace Corps), how leveraging your strengths can elevate your work, and her unique systems for managing both grants and clients.

Rachel also breaks down how to effectively track upcoming opportunities so you never miss a deadline, how to manage multiple nonprofit clients with ease, and how to strengthen your professionalism as a grant writer. We explore how to write clear objectives and goals, as well as the similarities between federal and foundation grant writing—so you can streamline your approach across funding sources.

If you’re ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling in control of your grant pipeline, this episode will give you the systems and strategies you need.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Rachel Waterman has over 25 years of community development and grant writing experience and is a Grant Professional Certified (GPC), Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and a Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Approved Trainer. She holds a Master’s degree in community and economic development with a concentration in applied social research from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s degree in international studies from Barry University.

Her career spans a wide range of roles, including Peace Corps Volunteer, nonprofit executive director, community organizer, city master planner, researcher, and Mayor of Lake Worth Beach, Florida.

Rachel is the CEO and Founder of GDS Grants, where she leads client strategy, program and budget development, data tracking systems, and outcome measurement. She also oversees the GDS Professional Development Program and mentors interns, fellows, and grant professionals.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income St